Tag: kitchen remodeler

Pros and Cons of an Open Layout For a Ranch House Remodel

After World War II, ranches became a popular and affordable housing choice for veterans looking to expand or relocate with their families. The ranch’s popularity continued into the 1970s, however, in recent years, they’ve been tagged as outdated. Many lack the design aesthetic and amenities modern homeowners seek, including open floor plans. For those seeking single floor living, as a retirement home or as a family home, these mid-century ranches should not be overlooked. Many were built in great neighborhoods and a ranch house remodel can certainly be designed to meet the homeowner’s tastes. At Joseph & Berry, we look at each home remodel project as unique. If you are looking into a ranch house remodel with an open floor plan, here are some pros and cons to consider.

Open floor plans are desirable

If resale is top of mind, an open floor plan is a good choice. Across the country, real estate professionals say that homebuyers are looking for open floor plans where the family can cook, watch TV and entertain in one large area. Open floor plans also allow for more options to fit the active lives of today’s families, such as creating a large space for entertaining or an open view to the outdoor areas.

Universal design

Universal design a design concept that takes into consideration the needs of everyone and their varying abilities, from special needs children to the elderly to those who are shorter, taller or have different motor skills abilities. Open floor plans call for uniform flooring throughout the area which eliminates tripping hazards and allows for means of assistance to move safely about the space, such as wheelchairs or walkers. There is also the ability to create wider aisles, hallways, and entryways for maneuvering. This is an especially appealing feature for Baby Boomers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who are already looking at ranch homes for the single-floor living. Incorporating universal design into a ranch house remodel will only enhance its value to this market.

Ensuring a structurally sound ranch house remodel

Not every home was designed for an open floor plan. It is important to discuss your vision with a skilled and experienced design-build team before knocking down any walls. In the past, homes used to be designed as separated spaces. The loss of a supporting wall in a ranch house remodel could cause substantial damage and create significant cost. Joseph & Berry provides design-build services that bring with it the structural engineering expertise to ensure a ranch house remodel is done right.

Too close for comfort

Before defaulting to an open floor plan, remember they are not for everyone, especially in a ranch house remodel. Consider a limited opening of space, such as connecting the kitchen and dining room, if you like to keep cooking and dining separately from the TV room. Some families with children love having a place for everyone to congregate, making it easier to keep an eye on little ones. Others prefer the separation as a way to occasionally get a little peace and quiet. Think about how you enjoy using your home today and consider how an open floor plan might enhance (or diminish) that experience.

An open concept ranch house remodel allows for luxury amenities

One of the downfalls of traditional mid-century ranches is they are not designed for high-end appliances or amenities. Small rooms and limited space can be limiting if a homeowner is looking for a professional kitchen set up with high-end range and hood, wine fridge and a wet bar island. Knocking down a few walls is one way to ensure homeowners have the space to fully realize their vision.

Joseph & Berry has significant experience remodeling and creating custom luxury homes. With a project manager on site at all times, we are there to answer questions and help guide you through the remodel process, including deciding whether an open floor plan in your ranch home is right for you. Contact us to schedule your home remodeling consultation! (800)-371-8970

Are Professional Kitchen Appliances Necessary or a Luxury?

When planning a kitchen remodel, one of the more fun choices you’ll have to make revolves around your kitchen appliances. We’ve all seen the photos on Houzz or the fabulous kitchen renovation on HGTV that feature stunning, sleek luxury stainless steel professional appliances. They’re beautiful and of course, we all look longly at them and imagine our kitchen decked out with high-end appliances.

The fact is, that regardless of your budget, you want to choose appliances that will offer quality, value and carefree operation for the long haul. Luxury kitchen appliances offer these qualities and so much more. Splurging on the best appliances you can afford can make your life in the kitchen much easier, and more enjoyable for years to come!

Let’s take a closer look at exactly what luxury kitchen appliances deliver for the price when compared to standard ones.

Luxury Kitchen Appliances Offer Long-Lasting Performance

Typically, luxury appliances offer the highest quality working components that can take their functionality to the next level of performance in the kitchen. They provide greater energy efficiency and advanced technology to deliver professional results. Companies like Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Viking also rigorously test each appliance during the development and production stages to make sure it’s worthy of their name. This means that you can expect a higher level of quality from these makers.

In fact, you can often see and feel the difference in quality with luxury appliances. Open and close oven and refrigerator doors, they’ll feel heavier and more sturdy than standard appliances. Pull out the racks and drawers, examine the interior surfaces and controls. You’ll notice that the luxury appliances have a completely different look and feel than their less-expensive counterparts. They are made of higher quality materials, offer more weight and heft, better sealing and illumination. In short, they’re quality appliances that are built to last a lifetime.

Extra Features With Purpose

When it comes to luxury appliances, you most definitely get what you pay for. Extras are thoughtfully engineered to streamline your cooking time and enhance entertaining. For example, you’ll find high-end luxury stoves with built-in downdraft ventilation capturing smoke and odors at the cooking surface and removing them without the need for a hood. Or flexible cooking options like combination steam and convection, or microwave and convection ovens.

Often you’ll find oven features like timed start, where you can place dinner in the oven along with a temperature probe and have a timer turn it on and off at precisely the right time so you return home from work to a beautifully cooked roast for your family.

Luxury refrigerators often offer multiple food storage spaces with adjustable temperatures. For example, need extra freezer space? Convert the lower portion of the refrigerator to extra freezer space by pushing a button or even appliances built for entertaining like a large capacity dishwasher that heats plates for when you’re hosting a dinner party.

The High-Quality Fit and Finishes You Want

Luxury appliance makers spend a good deal of attention on design aesthetics so your purchase will offer a timeless look that will last a lifetime. The focus on fit and finish covers all aspects like sleek lines and countertop depth that ensures an integrated look. Appliances that blend into the cabinetry like Sub-Zero refrigerators or Miele dishwashers offer the homeowner the ability to replace the front of the appliance with matching cabinet panels to make them blend in seamlessly.

If you want a more professional look, most luxury kitchen appliance manufacturers offer quality, stainless-steel exteriors, and interiors as well as more aesthetic options to match any design style. Today, even refrigerators are high style with some models featuring glass doors to showcase the food. One model even has a velvety matte black interior complete with LED lighting.

If you’re an early adopter of new technology, luxury appliances are perfect for you. The high-end makers are usually the first to adopt innovative technologies into their products. With high-end Appliances you’ll enjoy:

Induction cooking that’s energy efficient and fast! Boil water in 90 seconds, with no dangerous heat using magnetic technology

Intuitively activated vent hoods turn on and off automatically based on need

Sensors in dishwashers and refrigerators that monitor and adjust for optimal temperature, humidity levels and even create the ideal freezer environment

Internal high-tech components like air purification and a magnetically sealed door to keep food fresher

Energy efficiency. A new Sub-Zero refrigerator uses less energy than a 100 watt light bulb

While the initial cost for a luxury appliance may be significantly higher than a standard appliance, the value you receive is much higher as well. Luxury makers use higher quality materials, pay attention to classic aesthetic design, and wrap the newest technologies into appliances that will stand the test of time, and daily use.

Not only that, but professional-style luxury appliances will add value to your home should you choose to sell. High-end appliances in the kitchen can work to elevate a buyer’s perception of the entire home, meaning you’ll sell quicker and often at a higher price. Brands like Wolf, Viking, Miele, and Sub-Zero are recognized by buyers as a luxury item and they’re often willing to pay up for that luxury.

If you are upgrading prior to selling and budget is a concern, choosing a “designer” range is the best use of your funds. The range is a major focal point in most kitchens and along with the range hood can help to define the entire space. That’s why it offers a big bang for the bucks. Plus nothing is more fun to cook on than a luxury range. They really do work better than an inexpensive stove.

To learn more about our kitchen remodeling service, don’t waste time. Call us today at (800) 371-8970 or reach out to us through our website for appointments and free consultation meeting.

Kitchen Expansion Ideas For Increasing Space

You probably loved your house when you first found it. It had great space, a beautiful master suite, and a great kitchen. Fast forward a few years and things have changed. You have kids, maybe the in-laws have moved into your home, suddenly, your great kitchen feels small or less functional. Sure you can add space by building an addition if you have the room and the budget, but building a new addition isn’t always feasible. That’s why it’s a good idea to be aware of some less costly alternatives. After all, the money you save by not building a full addition can go into upgrades in lighting, cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures, and appliances – things that make for the perfect dream kitchen!

Kitchen Expansion via a Bump Out

One great affordable solution is the bump out. A bump out consists of bumping out the exterior wall by 24-inches. That’s the maximum space that you can bump out without having to add a foundation and more costs. It might not seem like a lot, but in a small kitchen, it’s a game changer! A 24” bump gives you plenty of space for a wall of cabinets and appliances along with an extra two feet of space in front of them.

This option isn’t always available. For example, if the floor joists run the wrong way. In this scenario, a section of the exterior wall is removed and replaced by a laminated header to support the new roof. The old floor is cantilevered outward, and a new outer wall is built along the perimeter of the new floor. The extension is covered with a small roof, and you gain space without the additional cost of a foundation.

Borrowing From An Adjacent Room

In some cases, removing the wall enclosing a small breakfast area can extend the length of the kitchen. Adding a breakfast bar and peninsula would accomplish the same function and take up less space.

However, the best expansion solution is removing the wall between the kitchen and an adjacent room like a formal dining room. This sound pricey, but the truth is typically it’s an inexpensive solution. The cost can be as low as a few hundred dollars, and the results can be pretty spectacular. Make sure to work with a qualified design-build remodeler Like Joseph & Berry. Interior walls can be structural carrying walls, and they can hide infrastructure like electrical or plumbing, which may need to be moved increasing the complexity of the job.

Other kitchen expansion ideas include using dead space under a stairwell as a pantry, realigning doors for better flow and relocating windows to maximize cabinet space.

If the flow in the kitchen is tight, one bank of cabinets can be made smaller to increase floor space. If the issue is limited counter space, but you have the room, countertops can be made deeper than the standard 24” depth. Talk to your designer about the viability of these options.

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Hide the Clutter

It should be the first step in any remodeling before you swing a hammer! Clutter can make your space seem smaller and impact functionality. Small kitchens seem to accumulate stuff on the counter because there’s just no place else to put it. Clutter breaks up the lines of your kitchen and can make your room feel small. Efficiently organize your space with built-in storage solutions. Consider adding space saving and organizational items like a lazy susan, appliance garage, or roll out shelving to make your existing space more useful. With a little planning, additional cabinets can add out of sight storage to reduce clutter and open up sight lines. If you have more stuff than storage, it might be time to re-evaluate and move unused items to the basement, attic or garage.

Kitchen Expansion: Opening Up The Room

Partially opening up the wall to an adjacent room doesn’t expand the physical space, but it can create a sense of openness by extending the view and giving the perception of a larger space. Sometimes this simple solution can help, at the very least it allows the cook to feel less confined, plus, everyone knows that cooking is a spectator sport so open the wall and let your guests in!

Often, kitchen expansion is achieved using a combination of these solutions to produce the best result. A small expansion along with careful cabinet placement can make your kitchen more functional without breaking the bank. Add better lighting that emphasizes the rooms horizontal lines and your kitchen will appear bigger than it really is.

If you’re looking for ways to improve the functionality or add space to your existing kitchen, speak with our kitchen designer in our design-build firm. They can assess your current situation and offer creative solutions that are not only affordable but effective! Submit the form and we’ll contact you!

The professionals at Joseph & Berry Remodel Design-Build specialize in luxury kitchen design and are the remodelers of choice for quality design in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Contact us today to schedule your consulting meeting with our professionals! Call us now: (800) 371-8970